Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
River Ridge rallies from a 10-1 deficit in the second game to sweep Hudson 15-7, 16-14.
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 25, 2002
HUDSON -- It could have been about avenging a loss to Hudson in last year's district final, but not so for River Ridge. The only unfinished business these Royal Knights have is the season ahead.
"Who cares? That was last year," Knights coach Heidi Castelamare said after her team's 15-7, 16-14 victory Tuesday. "I have a whole new group of kids with only four girls coming back. I know we're stronger, player for player."
River Ridge (10-1, 5-1 Class 4A, District 8) looked worthy of its No. 9 state ranking, led by outside hitter Dawn Conner. The senior opened with three service winners and earned the final two points of both games on back-to-back kills, finishing with a match-high 11.
Hudson (5-2, 3-2) showed a spark in the second game, taking a 4-0 lead before the Knights could return one of sophomore Jenna Strawser's serves. Hudson led 10-1 when Conner led the Knights back with three kills and two service winners on the way to tying the game at 12.
Hudson had three game points at 14-12 but couldn't convert, losing the last opportunity on its fifth service error of the match. The Cobras had six match points during their only other loss, in the season opener against Mitchell, and coach Linda McQuade said one of her team's biggest obstacles is getting that final point.
"The kids have to fix it. It's up to them to gear their minds in the right direction," McQuade said. "No doubt, it's a psychological thing. I wouldn't say it's frustrating, but it's something we need to work on."
Hudson got three kills and three blocks from senior Lauren Bislick but struggled with mistakes.
River Ridge's first three sideouts came on Hudson service errors, and two of River Ridge's final six points came when a ball dropped between two Cobras who collided going after a pass.
Halfway through district play, River Ridge has a share of the 4A-8 lead. With a victory tonight against Zephyrhills, the Knights can clinch the Sunshine Athletic Conference regular-season title.
Hudson plays at Mitchell on Thursday in a key district match.